Brunch at Feed

You're in cluck at this neighborhood spot

By M. Kathleen Pratt

April 11, 2008


Brunch at Feed
Feed
Address:
2803 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60622
Phone:
773-489-4600
Overall User Rating:
4 1/2 (10 ratings)
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Hours:
8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
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The scene: If the black-and-yellow chicken sign outside doesn’t tip you off, the whimsical rooster motif inside will: Feed doesn’t take itself too seriously. The small dining room, painted farmhouse red and plastered with chicken-themed memorabilia (the entire west wall is covered in framed 8-by-10 photos of roosters, and a plastic chicken head protrudes from a wall across the way), exudes a comfortable, lived-in vibe. Feed’s signature dish—roasted chicken, natch—quickly earned its share of devotees after the place opened about two-and-a-half years ago. Now the casual weekend brunch, which launched in July, has a following of its own. By noon most Saturdays and Sundays, the 24-seat dining room is packed with West Towners looking for a quick Southern fix.

The cuisine: From hearty sides of mac ’n’ cheese and fried okra ($1.79 each) to delish desserts like sweet potato pie ($2.98), Feed does down-home decadence right. Sweet options such as blackberry pancakes ($5.75) compete for your affection alongside weekly specials like fried lake perch, served with two eggs, potatoes and toast ($9.95). We tucked into the pulled pork hash ($7.50), a huge serving of potatoes fried up with green pepper and onion and topped with a hunk of pulled pork and two eggs. Though the pork was a bit dry, the eggs and greasy-delicious hash did their part to compensate. Don’t miss the fried green tomato benedict ($7.95), served on moist homemade cornbread with tart cornmeal-battered green tomatoes standing in for traditional Canadian bacon. It’s served with potatoes, but we recommend subbing in corn pudding or cheese grits for 50 cents more.

Loved it: Hospitality that would do the South proud.

Hated it: Cash only; at least there’s an ATM just two blocks away.

Brunch time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday


Cost: About $13 per person, including tax and tip

Wait: About 15 minutes at peak times (typically 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday)


M. Kathleen Pratt is a metromix producer. kpratt@tribune.com